A legendary production, created by the XII Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, it entered history as one of the most sensational stagings in Italian theatre. The cast featured what was described as "the national team of Italian theatre", bringing together in a single production actors of different generations, usually engaged in separate companies.
Director Luchino Visconti entrusted the set design to Zeffirelli, who was just 26 years old. The action took place largely in the city of Troy, resembling a fairy-tale castle lush with colorful plants, built in the Boboli Gardens. The battles were fought beneath the walls, while the besieging Greeks were camped on the lawn, in their tents.
The 22-year-old Piero Tosi worked diligently as an uncredited volunteer assistant to Zeffirelli and to costume designer Maria De Matteis.